IMDonehere

What are your favorite moules frites, chocolate, and waffle places and any other specialty food that you like in:

Brussels
Ypres
Brugge
Antwerp
Ghent

Thank you in advance.

Tulips

In Antwerp, you must visit The Chocolate Line on the Meir. It's in the former royal palace. Stunning shop with delicious and sometimes unusual chocolates.
There's a restaurant in the same palace (great coffee), and an interior design shop in the stables at the back.

Moules - can't help since I don't eat them, but they are not always available (in good restaurants, anyway, some places serve them all year). Au Vieux Port is an excellent classic Belgian restaurant. Also 'den Artist' on the Leopold de Waelplaats, for Belgian classics such as prawn croquettes.

Waffles are not so much an Antwerp thing. But if you're there on a Saturday, there's a waffle stand on the market (Theaterplein) that does wonderful mini waffles in several flavours.

hetismij2

Mussels are only available from September to April and at their best from October to March. If you can find them in the summer they will not be as good, and will almost certainly not be local mussels.

IMDonehere

Thanks you for the suggestions.

I have read where they import some of the mussels. We will be there just after the mussel season.

I assume chocolate is never out of season or favor.

sandralist

It is worth reading the Wiki entry on Belgian waffles before going to Belgium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_waffle

I had one of those almost surreal experiences in Brussels where, walking through a busy and rather ugly part of the city, I suddenly smelled the most delicious aroma of sugar cooking, and spotted a beat-up VW van parked not far away. When I walked over, I saw inside the vat the interior had been ripped out and replaced with the kind of oven that has racks that rotate, rather like a ferris wheel. Laying on the racks were were toasting waffles.

I bought one (I am pretty sure it cost 1e) and bit into the most wonderful crunchy sugar-glass exterior to a tender crumb waffle inside. Needless to say, I have never found a better waffle.

This was some years ago, around 5pm in the afternoon, near the Carillon du Mont des Arts. Good luck in your search.

http://www.brusselspictures.com/2008...mont-des-arts/

I will also so that the best chocolate I tasted in Belgium was in Antwerp walking around the historic center and buying from hole-in-the-wall shops. I found the prestige chocolate makers elsewhere too much like entering jewelry stores and the chocolates seemed less fresh than what was being sold in tiny shops to a steady clientele of passers by.

Last but not least, as fabulous as chocolate, waffles, moules, frites and beer in Belgium is, I am most haunted by the memory of genever sold in Antwerp at De Vagant.

http://www.planestrainsandplantagene...agant-antwerp/

PalenQ

My favorite place for frites are the ordinary snack wagons ubiquitously located all over those cities - or the store front ones with take outs - paper cones and a myriad of toppings to chose from (each an extra cost) - to me these are the real frites that most people love - no need to glorify and gourmet frites - Belgians used largely fresh-cut potatoes I think - unlike other countries were frozen may be the rule.

Best frites IMO right on the street - piping hot from the frier!

lateinlifetraveler

In Bruges we enjoyed The Chocolate Line, Dumon and Mary.

marg

We ate the best waffles ever in a small restaurant opposite the visitors' centre in Brugge. Topped with fresh strawberries and served with a bowl of cream. So good we went back the next day for more.

immimi

Any idea if there are frite stands that fry with vegetable oil? I know, I know.....

IMDonehere

Thank you all. We have no problem with street food.
We will be in Belgium first and second week of May.

They all sound worthy of putting on weight.

kerouac

The original "Léon" is quite good in Brussels, but it is quite shocking how expensive it is compared to its associated chain "Léon de Bruxelles" everywhere in France.

Well, maybe "shocking" isn't the correct term, but paying about 35€ for a meal for which I pay more like 22€ in France shocks me nevertheless.

lavandula

For frites, Maison Antoine in Place Jourdan in Brussels - it enjoys sort of cultish status.

Lavandula

IMDonehere

Thanks. We will only be in Brussels, so we must choose carefully.

Tulips

All mussels are imported in Belgium - but the best ones come from Zeeland, in the Netherlands. But May is not a good time for Moules.

For chocolates in Antwerp, Swertvaegher in the Groendalstraat is good too - especially the mini chocolates. In that same area, around the corner, in Korte Gasthuisstraat, bakery Goossens is one of the oldest in the city. Try a 'roggeverdoemeke' if you can pronounce it; a raisin bread. And on Fridays they make an amazing apple and cinnamon bread.

Immimi; Chez Vincent in Antwerp en Brugge use vegetable oil. There are others.

IMDonehere

I am bread cuckoo, I will try and make it over there but I am not sure we will have the time.

immimi

Thanks Tulip!